Spencer Abraham first Arab-American named to cabinet post

LONDON Ñ President-elect George W. Bush has appointed the first Arab-American to the U.S. Cabinet.

Bush appointed Spencer Abraham, 48, as secretary of energy. The announcement was made on Tuesday as Bush appointed the last three secretaries of his 14-member Cabinet.

Abraham, a U.S. senator from Michigan, is of Lebanese descent and is described as a leading activist in the Arab community in the United States. He was said to have been active in opposing anti-terrorist legislation that would make it difficult for Arabs and Muslims to enter the United States.

"It is a testament to the special place that America is that the grandson of four Lebanese immigrants can have the opportunity to serve in the Cabinet of the President of the United States," Abraham said.

A Republican, Abraham was elected to the Senate in 1994. He was regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the Senate and is prominent as a fiscal conservative. Abraham lost a bid for reelection in November.

In 1990, Abraham served as deputy chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle. Abraham was born in the United States. Both his grandfathers came to the United States from Lebanon.

Bush is said to have won a significant portion of the Arab-American vote, particularly in Michigan, regarded as a key state in the presidential election.